Bar
North Gate Jazz Co-Op
Small, informal live music bar by Chang Phueak Gate that has hosted local and visiting musicians since 2008, with free entry and regular jam nights.
The Riverside Bar & Restaurant
Riverside bar and restaurant on the Ping River since 1984, with live bands nightly from 20:00, Thai and Western food and a 90-minute dinner cruise.
At a glance
- Type
- Riverside live music bar and restaurant
- Area
- Chang Moi (riverside), Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- riverside1984.com
Good to know
- Live music nightly
- River cruise
- Free parking
- Terrace
Why we recommend it
The Riverside Bar & Restaurant has stood on Charoenrat Road beside the Ping River since 1984, and it is one of the city's longest-running places to eat, celebrate or simply listen to a band. It combines a restaurant, several bars and a stage, and it has welcomed generations of guests for food, music and parties.
Live music is the heart of the evening. Performances begin at 20:00 and continue until about 01:00, with a new artist or band typically taking the stage each hour, so the style changes as the night goes on. On selected nights there are public jam sessions. The line-up is updated by staff, so it is worth calling ahead or checking the live music page if you want to catch a particular act.
The venue is divided into distinct spaces. The Main Music Room is the place for the bands, the open-air Riverside Terrace sits beside the water and is the best choice on a cool evening, and the Upstairs Lounge is quieter if you want to talk. The menu covers Thai and Western dishes, with hand-cut fries as a signature, and specials change regularly.
A highlight for visitors is the dinner cruise. Two boats, each carrying about 40 to 50 guests, make a trip of around 90 minutes along the Ping River. You choose your meal from the Riverside menu and it is served on board, with drinks ordered from the boat's bar. Individual and group bookings are taken, and private boats can be arranged. Reserve ahead in busy periods.
The Riverside suits groups, couples and families looking for a relaxed evening with music. It is open seven days a week, and there is free, guarded parking across the street. The Good View bar is on the same stretch of Charoenrat Road, so you can easily move between the two in one evening.
For a first visit, book the dinner cruise for an early evening departure and then return to the terrace or music room for a few sets afterwards. If you are a group, call ahead to reserve tables together, and ask which nights feature jam sessions if you play an instrument. Keep in mind that the venue can be noisy near the stage, so choose the Upstairs Lounge if you want a quieter conversation.
The Riverside Bar & Restaurant FAQs
When did The Riverside open?
It was established in 1984 on the Ping River.
What time does the music start?
Live music runs nightly from 20:00 until about 01:00.
Is there a river cruise?
Yes, a dinner cruise of about 90 minutes runs on the Ping River, with food from the Riverside menu.
How big are the cruise boats?
There are two boats, each taking about 40 to 50 guests.
What food is served?
Thai and Western dishes, with hand-cut fries as a signature.
Is there parking?
Yes, free guarded parking is available across the street.
Is it open every day?
Yes, seven days a week.
Where is it?
At 9-11 Charoenrat Road, beside the Ping River.